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How Much Do You Know About Cat Scratch Disease?

Cats make wonderful pets. That's why there are millions of pet cats in the U.S. Sometimes, however, cats can cause an illness called cat scratch disease. Find out more about this illness by taking this true-false quiz.

1. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is primarily found in children.

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Most cases are in people under 21 years old.

A. TrueB. False

2. CSD is an allergic reaction to touching a cat.

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CSD is caused by a bacterium, Bartonella henselae. These bacteria enter the body through a scratch by an infected cat. B. henselae is found most often in cats, particularly in kittens. The disease is not passed from one person to another.

A. TrueB. False

3. A cat that is infected with the CSD bacteria is lethargic and weak.

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A cat that is infected with the CSD bacteria does not appear ill. Nearly half of all cats may have the bacteria at some point in their lives. Cats infected with the bacteria eventually rid themselves of the infection. You do not need to put an infected cat to sleep.

A. TrueB. False

4. Fever is the predominant symptom of CSD.

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Swollen lymph nodes near the site of the scratch are the main symptom. A low-grade fever may be present in about a third of the cases of CSD. Other possible symptoms include fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, seizures may occur. Typically, a blister or bump appears at the site of the scratch three to 10 days after the scratch. Lymph nodes usually begin to swell and become tender within two weeks after the cat scratch.

A. TrueB. False

5. CSD symptoms last about a week.

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Lymph nodes may remain swollen and painful for more than two to three months.

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6. A skin test is the best way to diagnose CSD.

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Your child's health care provider will use several criteria in diagnosing the illness: Has your child played with a cat recently? Does your child have swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck and under the arms? Have other causes for the swollen lymph nodes been ruled out? A blood test may be ordered to check for signs of infection with the CSD bacteria, but the test may not be as reliable as the other historical or physical clues.

A. TrueB. False

7. Antibiotics are the main treatment for CSD.

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Antibiotics are only useful in severe cases of CSD. In all other cases, the infection will go away on its own, without treatment. Talk with your child's health care provider for suggestions on how to ease the symptoms of CSD. Once your child has recovered from CSD, he or she will most likely have developed a lifelong immunity to it.

A. TrueB. False

8. One way to avoid CSD if your family wants a cat is to get an adult cat instead of a kitten.

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Adult cats are much less likely to harbor the CSD bacteria than are kittens. Also choose a cat that has been well cared for rather than adopt a stray cat, which may be more likely to bite or scratch while playing with you and your family.